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| Phelan Ready was a 23-1 chance in the Golden Slipper Stakes, a 1200-metre race for freshmen. The Golden Slipper, run at Rosehill in Australia, has the biggest purse for a race confined to two year-olds. As the field took the turn for the run to the box, Phelan Ready, in the hands of Brad Rawiller, lay last in a field of 16. Angling out for the stretch charge, Phelan Ready went from last to first in a matter of moments. The winning margin was two and one quarter lengths. There had been heavy rain and the going was soft. Phelan Ready is by More Than Ready, an American sire. Jockey Brad Rawiller was thrilled. “As we straightened, my colt was racing like he was doing track work. I was worried that we would get to the front too soon when he made his move. We had them well beaten and it’s a massive thrill.” The other big race, the Grade I BMW Stakes, went to Fiumicino, a 30-1 long shot. With Darren Beadman up, Fiumicino beat Theseo by three parts of a length. Two lengths in third was the 9-10 favourite, Viewed, the hero of last year’s Melbourne Cup. The time for the 2400-metre race on heavy ground was 2. 34.25. At Sha Tin in Hong Kong on Sunday, jockey Doug Whyte reached a landmark. The eight-time Hong Kong champion jockey won the Chairman’s Trophy, a Grade II 1600-metre event, with More Bountiful, a 10-1 proposition. More Bountiful was giving jockey Whyte his 1,100th win in Hong Kong. More Bountiful, trained by John Size, was winning for the sixth time in 10 outings, one win shy of the single season record in Hong Kong. “It just cannot get any better than to celebrate a winner like this with a Group victory,” jockey Whyte said. Now a thought or two on the Grand National run at Aintree on Saturday. Forty horses ran and 17 completed the 7200-metre journey. Mon Mome, available at 100-1, was a laughing winner. A nine year-old, Mon Mome carried 11 stones and won by 12 lengths. There were 30 fences and the time was nine minutes and 32.9 seconds. The Grand National is for horses six years old and up. Mon Mome is trained by Venetia Williams who is only the second female trainer to win the Grand National. Jenny Pitman won in 1983 and 1995. Winning jockey Liam Treadwell was riding in the legendary race for the first time. Jockey Treadwell and Mon Mome came out on top as favoured ones fell by the wayside in a war of attrition. As he crossed the line, jockey Treadwell punched the air. “It is an absolutely unbelievable finish. I had the perfect run through the race. He jumped brilliantly. It has not sunk in yet and all I can say is it is unbelievable.” BBC reported that there were 8.5 million viewers. Claire Balding, the BBC presenter, said, “the shock result served to enhance the general public’s fascination for the race.” Butler’s Cabin, the 7-1 favourite, did not get into contention. Tony McCoy, the 13-time jumps champion jockey, was attempting to win the Grand National for the first time with Butler’s Cabin. A Tote bet of one pound returned 158.40. Blue Square, a bookmaking outfit, offered 33-1 on Mon Mome for an encore in 2010. Now, we move to action in America. Three major Derby prep races were run and they were all won by fancied horses. In the Santa Anita Derby, The Pamplemousse was scratched at 9 AM on Saturday, Pacific time. A tendon flare-up was cited as the reason. Alex Solid II, son of rider Alex Solis and part owner, made a statement. “The Pamplemousse is comfortable. He is fine. He is walking. He will run again. He will not run in the Kentucky Derby. I do not know when he will be back.” Pioneerof The Nile was the 8-10 favourite. Next in demand was Chocolate Candy. Seven ran. Garrett Gomez was fourth early and surged three-wide very early when the pace slowed down to a crawl. Pioneerof The Nile raced outside of the pacesetter, struck the front turning for home. Chocolate Candy was produced in the last 400 metres but Pioneerof The Nile had enough to keep the advantage. An Empire Maker colt, Pioneerof The Nile ran the 1800-metre race in 1 49.17 on Santa Anita’s pro ride surface. Bob Baffert was winning his fifth Santa Anita Derby. It was the first win in the Santa Anita Derby for jockey Gomez. Trainer Baffert was matter of fact. “Garrett (Gomez) did a great job stalking the leader. He could have gone for the lead. That was a good change in tactics. He is ready for the Derby. All I have to do is keep him healthy.” Jockey Gomez explained the ride. “I could not hold him. We won but that was not how I wanted to win. I could not slow him down too much. He’s a long-striding horse and he is in a comfortable rhythm if he can stretch his legs.” Chocolate Candy’s rider Joel Rosario exuded optimism in his statement. “When he (Chocolate Candy) has more pace, he’ll be OK. He should be all set for the Derby. I liked the way he moved coming to the wire. I am sure there will be more pace in the Kentucky Derby.” In Chicago, Musket Man won the Illinois Derby at Hawthorne with a measure of comfort. Trained by Derek Ryan, Musket Man, a colt by Yonaguska, was ridden by Eibar Coa who substituted for Dan Centeno. Musket Man, a $15,000 yearling, won $300,000. The 5-2 favorite, Musket Man ran the 1800-metre race on dirt in 1 49.91. Trainer Ryan said, “Now we have to go to Louisville. He ran a big race today.” Jockey Coa heaped praise on his mount. “He is professional. He placed himself perfectly. He moved when I wanted. I can do what I want with him. He is special and keeps improving. I am confident he will do well in the Kentucky Derby.” When the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct was over, the British bookmakers reacted with alacrity. I Want Revenge, the half money choice, overcame trouble and got a 6-1 quote for the Kentucky Derby. Quality Road and Pioneerof The Nile are marginally ahead in the odds scale. I Want Revenge broke in the air and was last for the most part in the $750,000 Grade I 1800-metre race. I Want Revenge was full of run turning for home and looking for room. There was a moment or two of anxiety. Jockey Joe Talamo, showing patience and decision-making skill beyond his years, waited for an opening. Yes, there was room with 250 metres left and I Want Revenge raised a fluent gallop to sail to the front. The time was 1 49.49. Trainer Jeff Mullins talked about the race. “When he missed the break, I was heading to the barn. Joe (Talamo) was patient and it says a lot for a young rider. He saved the horse and waited for the right time to let him go.” A son of Stephen Got Even, I Want Revenge was ridden by Joe Talamo, based in southern California. Talamo was relieved. “He reared up at the start but we had a great trip. We got to save ground. When there was an opening, he kicked down like a real nice horse.” Stardom Bound’s streak ended on Saturday. She was racing outside of California for the first time. The Tapit filly lay in the rear and made a lukewarm move with 800 metres to run in the Ashland Stakes at Keeneland. Despite Mike Smith’s pleas, the five-time Grade I winner, could not accelerate and finished a tame third. The Ashland was taken by Hooh Why who made it all with Corey Lanerie. Hooh Why held Gozzip Girl in a tight finish. Hooh Why, a 24-1 chance, ran the 1700 metres on Keeneland’s polyttack in 1 43.8. Hooh Why’s sire is Cloud Hopping (by Mr Prospector) who commanded a $3,500 stud fee. Jockey Lanerie spoke about his confidence level. “Robby Albarado rode her in the Santa Anita Oaks and just missed. Robby took Nan here. Robby said I would love her and I did. I watched replay of her Oaks race. I thought she had every chance.” Mike Smith, Stardom Bound’s rider, said, “I am at a loss for words. It was not her A game.” Seventh Street, a Street Cry filly from the Darley stable, ran away with the April Blossom Stakes at Oaklawn Park. Rajiv Maragh rode. Five ran. Acoma, winner of the Azeri, was a short-priced chalk and failed badly. Jockey Tim Doocy, 53, reached a milestone on Saturday at Oaklawn Park. As Saturday’s racing began, Doocy stood at 4,998. He won the first race with the 11-1 Away She Go. Jockey Doocy won the last race with Color Out, a 10-1 chance. Jockey Doocy has 65 million dollars in earnings since 1976. He has won 298 stakes, 24 of them graded. “One of the reasons I would like to reach the 5000-win milestone at Oaklawn is that our neighbors from Oaklawn and Hot Springs are both pulling for us. My wife, Terry, and I have talked about it and she says wherever I reach it, she will be there with me to take the picture and give me a big hug,” Doocy said. Sources: Blood Horse, NTRA, Racing Post and TV reports |
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